An Unstable Ligand-Unsupported CuI Dimer Stabilized in a Supramolecular Framework

Twisted and Disconnected Chains: Flexible Linear Tetracuprous Arrays and a Decanuclear CuI Cluster as Blue- and Green/Yellow-Light Emitters

Defined arrays of transition metal ions embedded in tailored polydentate ligand scaffolds allow for a systematic design of their physical properties. Such molecular strings of closed-shell transition metal centers are particularly interesting for Group 11 metal ions in the oxidation state +1 if they undergo metallophilic d10···d10 contact interactions since these clusters are oftentimes efficient photoluminescence (PL) emitters. Copper is particularly attractive as a sustainable earth-abundant coinage metal source and because of the ability of several CuI complexes to serve as powerful thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters in molecular/organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). Our combined synthetic, crystallographic, photophysical, and computational study describes a straight tetracuprous array possessing a centrally disconnected CuI2···CuI2 chain and a continuous helically bent CuI4 complex. This molecular helix undergoes a facile rearrangement in diethyl ether solution, yielding an unprecedented nanosized CuI10 cluster (2.9 × 2.0 nm) upon crystallization. All three clusters show either bright blue phosphorescence, TADF, or green/yellow multiband phosphorescence with quantum yields between 6.5 and 67%, which is persistent under hydrostatic pressure up to 30 kbar. Temperature-dependent PL investigations in combination with time-dependent density-functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations and void space analyses of the crystal packings complement a comprehensive correlation between the molecular structures and photoluminescence properties.

Copper-Catalyzed Monooxygenation of Phenols: Evidence for a Mononuclear Reaction Mechanism

The CuI salts [Cu(CH3 CN)4 ]PF and [Cu(oDFB)2 ]PF with the very weakly coordinating anion Al(OC(CF3 )3 )4- (PF) as well as [Cu(NEt3 )2 ]PF comprising the unique, linear bis-triethylamine complex [Cu(NEt3 )2 ]+ were synthesized and examined as catalysts for the conversion of monophenols to o-quinones. The activities of these CuI salts towards monooxygenation of 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (DTBP-H) were compared to those of [Cu(CH3 CN)4 ]X salts with "classic" anions (BF4- , OTf- , PF6- ), revealing an anion effect on the activity of the catalyst and a ligand effect on the reaction rate. The reaction is drastically accelerated by employing CuII -semiquinone complexes as catalysts, indicating that formation of a CuII complex precedes the actual catalytic cycle. This result and other experimental observations show that with these systems the oxygenation of monophenols does not follow a dinuclear, but a mononuclear pathway analogous to that of topaquinone cofactor biosynthesis in amine oxidase.

From Short-Bite Ligand Assembled Ribbons to Nanosized Networks in Cu(I) Coordination Polymers Built Upon Bis(benzylthio)alkanes (BzS(CH2)nSBz; n = 1-9)

With the objective to establish a correlation between the spacer distance and halide dependence on the structural features of coordination polymers (CPs) assembled by the reaction between CuX salts (X = Cl, Br, I) and dithioether ligands BzS(CH₂)_nSBz (n = 1-9; Bz = benzyl), a series of 26 compounds have been prepared and structurally investigated. A particular attention has been devoted to the design of networks with extremely long and flexible methylene spacer units between the SBz donor sites. Under identical conditions, CuI and CuBr react with BzSCH₂Bz (L1) affording respectively the one-dimensional (1D) CPs {Cu(μ₂-I)₂Cu}(μ-L1)₂]_n (CP1) and {Cu(μ₂-Br)₂Cu}(μ-L1)₂] (CP2), which incorporate Cu(μ₂-X)₂Cu rhomboids as secondary building units (SBUs). The hitherto unknown architecture of two-dimensional (2D) layers obtained with CuCl (CP3) differs from that of CP1 and CP2, which bear inorganic -Cl-Cu-Cl-Cu-Cl- chains interconnected through bridging L1 ligands, thus forming a 2D architecture. The crystallographic characterization of a 1D CP obtained by reacting CuI with 1,3-bis(benzylthio)propane (L2) reveals that [{Cu(μ₂-I)₂Cu}(μ-L2)₂]_n (CP4) contains conventional Cu₂I₂ rhomboids as SBUs. In contrast, unusual isostructural CPs [{Cu(μ₂-X)}(μ₂-L2)]_n (CP5) and (CP6) are obtained with CuX when X = Br and Cl, respectively, in which the isolated Cu atoms are bridged by a single μ₂-Br or μ₂-Cl ion giving rise to infinite [Cu(μ₂-X)Cu]_n ribbons. The crystal structure of the strongly luminescent three-dimensional (3D) polymer [{Cu₄(μ₃-I)₃(μ₄-I)(μ-L3)_1.5]_n (CP7) issued from reacting 2 equiv of CuI with BzS(CH₂)₄SBz (L3) has been redetermined. CP7 features unusual [(Cu₄I₃)(μ₄-I)]_n arrays securing the 3D connectivity. In contrast, mixing CuI with an excess of L3 provides the nonemissive material [{Cu(μ₂-I)₂Cu}(μ-L3)₂]_n (CP8). Treatment of CuBr and CuCl with L3 leads to [{Cu(μ₂-Br)₂Cu}(μ-L3)₂]_n (CP9) and the 0D complex [{Cu(μ₂-Cl)₂Cu}(μ-L3)₂] (D1), respectively. The crystallographic particularity for CP9 is the coexistence of two topological isomers within the unit cell. The first one, CP9-1D, consists of simple 1D ribbons running along the a axis of the unit cell. The second topological isomer, CP9-2D, also consists of [Cu(μ₂-Br)₂Cu] SBUs, but these are interconnected in a 2D manner forming 2D sheets placed perpendicular to the 1D ribbons. Four 2D CPs, namely, [{Cu₄(μ₃-I)₄}(μ-L4)₂]_n (CP10), [{Cu(μ₂-I)₂Cu}(μ-L4)₂]_n (CP11), [{Cu(μ₂-Br)₂Cu}(μ-L4)₂]_n (CP12), and [{Cu(μ₂-Cl)₂Cu}(μ-L4)₂]_n (CP13), stem from the self-assembly process of CuX with BzS(CH₂)₆SBz (L4). A similar series of 2D materials comprising [{Cu₄(μ₃-I)₄}(μ-L5)₂]_n (CP14), [{Cu(μ₂-I)₂Cu}(μ-L5)₂]_n (CP15), [{Cu(μ₂-Br)₂Cu}(μ-L5)₂]_n (CP16), and [{Cu(μ₂-Cl)₂Cu}(μ-L5)₂]_n (CP17) result from the coordination of BzS(CH₂)₇SBz (L5) on CuX. Ligation of CuX with the long-chain ligand BzS(CH₂)₈SBz (L6) allows for the X-ray characterization of the luminescent 2D [{Cu₄(μ₃-I)₄}(μ-L6)₂]_n (CP18) and the isostructural 1D series [{Cu(μ₂-X)₂Cu}(μ-L6)₂]_n CP19 (X = I), CP20 (X = Br) and CP21(X = Cl). Noteworthy, BzS(CH₂)₉SBz (L7) bearing a very flexible nine-atom chain generated the crystalline materials 2D [{Cu₄(μ₃-I)₄}(μ-L7)₂]_n (CP22) and the isostructural 1D series [{Cu(μ₂-X)₂Cu}(μ-L6)₂]_n CP23 (X = I), CP24 (X = Br), and CP25 (X = Cl), featuring nanometric separations between the cubane- or rhomboid-SBUs. This comparative study reveals that the outcome of the reaction of CuX with the shorter ligands BzS(CH₂)_nSBz (n = 1-4) is not predictable. However, with more flexible spacer chains BzS(CH₂)_nSBz (n = 6-9), a clear structural pattern can be established. Using a 1:1 CuX-to-ligand ratio, [{Cu(μ₂-X)₂Cu}(μ-L4-7)₂] CPs are always formed, irrespectively of L4-L7. Employing a 2:1 CuX-to-ligand ratio, only CuI is able to form networks incorporating Cu₄(μ₃-I)₄ clusters as SBUs. All attempts to construct polynuclear cluster using CuBr and CuCl failed. The materials have been furthermore analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, and the photophysical properties of the emissive materials have been studied.

Family of Highly Luminescent Pure Ionic Copper(I) Bromide Based Hybrid Materials

While a number of highly luminescent copper(I) halide based hybrid materials built on coordinate bonds (Cu-L; L = N, P, S-based ligands) have been obtained, the poor structural stability largely limited their commercialization. In contrast, according to the previous studies, the ionic structures (L-free) are more stable than those built on Cu-L coordinate bonds. However, the extremely weak emission hinders their optical applications. Herein, we report a tetra-alkylammonium-cation-induced strategy for the synthesis of stable and highly luminescent ionic CuBr-based hybrid materials. It is interesting to find that the tetra-alkylammonium cations with different chains could induce diverse CuBr-based anions. Moreover, most of these CuBr-based hybrids are highly luminescent, which makes them promising candidates as an alternative to phosphors and with potential applications in sensing.

Linear Copper Complex Arrays as Versatile Molecular Strings: Syntheses, Structures, Luminescence, and Magnetism

The defined linear arrangement of metal atoms in discrete coordination complexes or polymers is still one of the most intriguing challenges in synthetic chemistry. These chain arrangements are of fundamental importance, because of their potential applications as molecular wires and single molecule magnets (SMM) in microelectronic devices on a molecular scale. Oligonuclear Group 11 metal complexes with suitable bridging ligands, specifically those that are based on copper as the first choice of a cheap precursor coinage metal, are of particular interest in this regard. This is due to the superior luminescence properties of these linear clusters that often show d¹⁰ ⋅⋅⋅d¹⁰ interactions in their molecular structures. The combination of Cu^I with heavier coinage metal ions results in tunable emissive arrays that are also stimuli-responsive. Thus, both linear multinuclear Cu^I and linear heteropolymetallic Cu^I /Ag^I as well as Cu^I /Au^I clusters are excellent candidates for applications in molecular/organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). Alternatively, paramagnetic multinuclear cupric arrays are prominent as potential molecular wires with enhanced magnetic properties through multiple coupled d⁹ centers. This Review covers the whole range of linear multinuclear assemblies of cuprous and cupric ions in complexes and coordination polymers, their syntheses, photophysical behavior, and magnetic properties. Moreover, recent advances in the rapidly progressing field of hetero-Cu^I /Ag^I and Cu^I /Au^I molecular strings are also discussed.

Copper(I) iodide ribbons coordinated with thiourea derivatives

Two products of the reactions of CuI with 1-benzoyl-3-(4-bromophenyl)thiourea and with 1-benzoyl-3-(2-iodophenyl)thiourea have been obtained and characterized, namely poly[[[1-benzoyl-3-(4-bromophenyl)thiourea-κS]-μ₃-iodido-copper(I)] acetone hemisolvate], {[CuI(C₁₄H₁₁BrN₂OS)]·0.5C₃H₆O}_n, and poly[μ₄-iodido-μ₃-iodido-[N-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)benzamide-κN]dicopper(I)], [Cu₂I₂(C₁₄H₁₀N₂OS)]_n. Their structures, determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, exhibit different stoichiometries and molecular organizations; however, both compounds are polymeric and possess close Cu...Cu contacts. The first product contains a (CuI)_n double chain supported by the thiourea derivative coordinated via the S atom. In the second case, the ligand undergoes dehalogenation and cyclization to form N-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)benzamide that serves as the N-donor ligand which is connected to both sides of a (CuI)_n quadruple chain. In both hybrid inorganic chains, I atoms bridge three or four Cu atoms. The coordination centres adopt more or less distorted tetrahedral geometries. The structures of the (CuI)_n kernels of the ribbons are similar to fragments of the layers in high-pressure phase V copper(I) iodide. Only weak S...O, C-H...O, C-H...I and π-π interactions hold the ribbons together, allowing the formation of crystals.

Coinage Metal Complexes of the Carbenic Tautomer of a Conjugated Mesomeric Betaine Akin to Nitron

This study was motivated by our recent observation that the analytical reagent Nitron (2) is an “instant carbene”, whose reaction with coinage metal salts MX afforded complexes of its carbenic tautomer 1,4-diphenyl-3-phenylamino-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene (2′). Our aim was to establish an alkyl homologue of 2 in order to achieve a carbenic tautomer of higher donicity. For this purpose 1-tert-butyl-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazol-4-ium-3-tert-butylaminide (6) was synthesized. Its reactions with MX afforded complexes of the carbenic tautomer 1-tert-butyl-3-tert-butylamino-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene (6′). With a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 complexes of the type [MX(6′)] were obtained. A ratio of 2:1 furnished complexes of the type [MX(6′)₂] or [M(6′)₂]X. 6′ is a better σ-donor and less electrophilic than 2′ according to NMR spectroscopic data of 6H[BF₄] and 6′ = Se, respectively, and IR spectroscopic data of [RhCl(6′)(CO)₂] confirm that its net electron donor capacity is superior to that of 2′. A comparison of the complexes of 2′ and 6′ reveals two pronounced structural differences. [CuX(6′)₂] (X = Cl, Br) exhibit more acute C–Cu–C bond angles than [CuX(2′)₂]. In contrast to [CuCl(2′)], [CuCl(6′)] aggregates through Cu···Cu contacts of ca. 2.87 Å, compatible with cuprophilic interactions. These differences may be explained by the complementary steric requirements of the t-Bu and the Me substituent of 6′.

An unusual coordination polymer containing Cu(+) ions and featuring possible Cu...Cu `cuprophilic' interactions: poly[di-μ-chlorido-(μ4-3,5-diaminobenzoato-κ(4)O:O':N:N')tricopper(I)(3 Cu-Cu)]

Compounds containing copper(I) are of interest for their role in biological processes. The nature of short (< ∼ 3.2 Å) Cu...Cu contacts within these compounds has been debated, being either described as weakly attractive (bonding) `cuprophilic' interactions, or simply as short metal-metal distances constrained by ligand geometry or largely ionic in nature. The title three-dimensional Cu(+)-containing coordination polymer, [Cu3(C7H7N2O2)Cl2]n, was formed from the in situ reduction of CuCl2 in the presence of 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid and KOH under hydrothermal conditions. Its complex crystal structure contains ten distinct Cu(I) atoms, two of which lie on crystallographic inversion centres. The copper coordination geometries include near-linear CuOCl and CuN2, T-shaped CuOCl2 and distorted tetrahedral CuOCl3 groups. Each Cu(I) atom is also associated with two adjacent metal atoms, with Cu...Cu distances varying from 2.7350 (14) to 3.2142 (13) Å; if all these are regarded as `cuprophilic' interactions, then infinite [-101] zigzag chains of Cu(I) atoms occur in the crystal. The structure is consolidated by N-H...Cl hydrogen bonds.

Perspective: On the relevance of slower-than-femtosecond time scales in chemical structural-dynamics studies

A number of examples illustrate structural-dynamics studies of picosecond and slower photo-induced processes. They include molecular rearrangements and excitations. The information that can be obtained from such studies is discussed. The results are complementary to the information obtained from femtosecond studies. The point is made that all pertinent time scales should be covered to obtain comprehensive insight in dynamic processes of chemical and biological importance.

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activities of new Cu(i) thiocarboxylate complexes

Newly synthesized Cu(i) with thiobenzoate complexes was found to catalyse the regioselective synthesis of glycoconjugate triazoles under click reaction.

Experimental evidence for the involvement of dinuclear alkynylcopper(I) complexes in alkyne-azide chemistry

Dinuclear alkynylcopper(I) ladderane complexes are prepared by a robust and simple protocol involving the reduction of Cu(2)(OH)(3)OAc or Cu(OAc)(2) by easily oxidised alcohols in the presence of terminal alkynes; they function as efficient catalysts in copper-catalysed alkyne-azide cycloaddition reactions as predicted by the Ahlquist-Fokin calculations. The same copper(I) catalysts are formed during reactions by using the Sharpless-Fokin protocol. The experimental results also provide evidence that sodium ascorbate functions as a base to deprotonate terminal alkynes and additionally give a convincing alternative explanation for the fact that the Cu(I)-catalysed reactions of certain 1,3-diazides with phenylacetylene give bis(triazoles) as the major products. The same dinuclear alkynylcopper(I) complexes also function as catalysts in cycloaddition reactions of azides with 1-iodoalkynes.

Time-resolved synchrotron diffraction and theoretical studies of very short-lived photo-induced molecular species

Definitive experimental results on the geometry of fleeting species are at the time of writing still limited to monochromatic data collection, but methods for modifications of the polychromatic Laue data to increase their accuracy and their suitability for pump-probe experiments have been implemented and are reviewed. In the monochromatic experiments summarized, excited-state conversion percentages are small when neat crystals are used, but are higher when photoactive species are embedded in an inert framework in supramolecular crystals. With polychromatic techniques and increasing source brightness, smaller samples down to tenths of a micrometre or less can be used, increasing homogeneity of exposure and the fractional population of the excited species. Experiments described include a series of transition metal complexes and a fully organic example involving excimer formation. In the final section, experimental findings are compared with those from theoretical calculations on the isolated species. Qualitative agreement is generally obtained, but the theoretical results are strongly dependent on the details of the calculation, indicating the need for further systematic analysis.

Static and time-resolved photocrystallographic studies in supramolecular solids

The supramolecular solid state is a medium par excellence for photochemical studies of molecules in a well-defined environment. If the photoactive molecule is embedded within a strong photochemically-inert framework, reactions can proceed without breakdown of the crystal lattice. A number of examples of trans-cis and cis-trans reactions are presented. A variable temperature study of Zn-coordinated tiglic acid shows that the reaction is energy-controlled with a small activation energy of approx. 2 kJ/mol, dependent on the size of the cavity in which the molecule is located. Time-resolved studies of the instantaneous dimer-formation of an organic and an inorganic species are presented. The Cu(I)(NH3)2 cation forms a dimeric species with a contracted Cu(I)—Cu(I) distance through promotion of an electron from an antibonding to a weakly bonding orbital, whereas xanthone forms an excimer with decrease interplanar spacing. The concept of the photodifference map is defined and used thoughout the article.

Crystal-to-crystal transformations in heterometallic yttrium(III)-copper(I) iodide derivatives in a confined solvent-free environment: influence of solvated yttrium cations on the nuclearity and dimensionality of iodocuprate clusters

The solvated yttrium iodide precursors [Y(L)(8)]I(3) (L = DMSO or DMF), prepared in situ by stirring YI(3)(Pr(i)OH)(4) in DMSO or DMF, react with CuI in the presence of NH(4)I to give ionic hetero-metallic species [Y(DMSO)(8)][Cu(2)(mu-I)I(4)] (1) and [Y(DMF)(8)][Cu(4)(mu(3)-I)(2)(mu-I)(3)I(2)] (2) in excellent yields. Re-crystallization of 1 from DMF afforded the mixed-solvate complex [Y(DMSO)(6)(DMF)(2)][CuI(3)][I] (3). Compounds 2 and 3 undergo unique crystal-to-crystal transformation via progressive substitution of DMF by water molecules in a confined, solvent-free environment. Thus, crystals of 3 transform into [Y(DMSO)(6)(H(2)O)(2)][CuI(3)][I] (4), whereas a discrete ion-pair assembly of 2 is first converted into a 1-D zig-zag structure [Y(DMF)(6)(H(2)O)(2)](3+)[Cu(7)(mu(4)-I)(3)(mu(3)-I)(2)(mu-I)(4)(I)](1infinity)(3-) (5) and finally into a 2-D sheet containing mixed-valent copper atoms, [Y(DMF)(6)(H(2)O)(3)](3+)[Cu(I)(7)Cu(II)(2)(mu(3)-I)(8)(mu-I)(6)](2infinity)(3-) (6). The bi- and tetrafurcate H-bonding between water ligands on yttrium and iodides of the Cu-I cluster plays a pivotal role in the evolution of structures 4-6. Formation of a wide range of iodocuprate structures in 1-6, from discrete mono-, di- or tetranuclear units to one- and two-dimensional extended arrays, reflects the influence of solvated yttrium cations on the nuclearity and dimensionality of Cu-I clusters. TG-DTA-MS studies and DFT calculations for these complexes have also been carried out in order to determine their thermal stability and have insight about aforesaid transformations.

The Nature of the AgI⋅⋅⋅AgI Interaction in Different Ag(NH3)2 Dimers Embedded in Supramolecular Solids

An isolated silver(I) ammonia monomer, a dimer, and a novel dimer containing an intercalated water molecule have been embedded as guests in supramolecular frameworks, [Ag(NH3)2][(H2thpe)(H3thpe)].MeCN (1), [{Ag(NH3)2}2][(H2thpe)2]4.25 H2O (2), and [{Ag(NH3)2}-H2O-{Ag(NH3)2}][(H2thpe)(2)]benzene (3) (H3THPE=tris(hydroxyphenyl)ethane). The [{Ag(NH3)2}2]2+ dimer is not stable as an isolated entity, but is stabilized by hydrogen bonding in the supramolecular framework. The water-intercalated silver(I) ammonia dimer, which constitutes a novel species, is also subject by hydrogen bonding in concentrated solutions. The destabilization energy of the dimer relative to isolated monomers is calculated to be approximately 300 kJ mol(-1) by both perturbation methods and DFT theory. For the water-intercalated dimer it is calculated to be approximately 200 kJ mol(-1) according to the BSSE-corrected MP2 calculation. The different aggregate states show a dramatic variation of absorption and emission properties, in accordance with the concentration dependent red-shift observed in solutions. Natural-bond-orbital analysis shows that the disilver-ammonium-aquo "sandwich" cation in 3 is stabilized by interaction between the pi lone pair orbital on the oxygen atom of the water molecule and Ag(I)--N sigma antibonding molecular orbital.

Three novel silver complexes with ligand-unsupported argentophilic interactions and their luminescent properties

Three novel silver complexes, namely, [Ag5(CN)5(bipy)2]n (1) with a 1-D to 3-D architecture constructed through ligand-unsupported argentophilic interactions, [Ag5(SCN)4(CN)(bipy)2]n (2) with a 2-D interesting topology formed by cyanide groups linking [Ag5(SCN)4(bipy)2]n(n+) cationic columns, and [(Me4N)Ag3(CN)4]n (3) with 3-fold-interpenetrated 3-D 3-connected (10, 3)-g nets, have been solvothermally synthesized, and all exhibit efficient luminescence.

From discrete [Y(DMF)8][Cu4(µ3-I)2(µ-I)3I2] ion pairs to extended [Y(DMF)6(H2O)2][Cu7(µ4-I)3(µ3-I)2(µ-I)4(I)]1∞and [Y(DMF)6(H2O)3][CuI7CuII2(µ3-I)8(µ-I)6]2∞arrays by H-bond templating in a confined solvent-free environment

An ionic heterometallic species [Y(DMF)(8)][Cu(4)(micro(3)-I)(2)(micro-I)(3)I(2)](1) was isolated from a solution of CuI, NH(4)I and YI(3)(Pr(i)OH)(4) in DMF-isopropoxyethanol, and was converted in a confined environment by progressive substitution of the DMF ligands with water molecules first into a 1D zig-zag structure [Y(DMF)(6)(H(2)O)(2)][Cu(7)(micro(4)-I)(3)(micro(3)-I)(2)(micro-I)(4)(I)](1infinity)(2) and finally into a 2D sheet [Y(DMF)(6)(H(2)O)(3)][Cu(I)(7)Cu(II)(2)(micro(3)-I)(8)(micro-I)(6)](2infinity)(3) by H-bond templating.

Rhodium-catalyzed carbonylative arylation of alkynes with arylboronic acids: an efficient and straightforward method in the synthesis of 5-aryl-2(5H)-furanones

5-Aryl-2(5H)-furanones can be synthesized by the Rh-catalyzed reactions of arylboronic acids with internal alkynes under a CO atmosphere.

Ligand-unsupported Au(i) chains with short Au(i)⋯Au(i) contacts

A new series of solids with ligand-unsupported Au(I) chains with short Au...Au contacts were synthesized; as Ag compounds with the same structure are known, the new phases now allow unbiased comparison of Ag...Ag and Au...Au metallophilic bonds not supported by bridging ligands, which shows the latter to be consistently shorter by 0.03-0.04 A.